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PILGRIM BADGE

Unique ID:SOMDOR-7514C8

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation

A flat circular lead pilgrim badge of medieval or early post-medieval date. The badge, which depicts the Annunciation, has a maximum diameter of 22.98mm, it is 1.75mm thick and weighs 3.79g. On the back there is a vertical casting line and two protruding lumps which may be the remains of the fixture for the (missing) pin. The front depicts two standing figures in moulded relief, the Angel Gabriel to the left and the Virgin Mary to the right. They have long robes, their hair is covered and they are facing each other, each with outstretched hands holding an open book. Mary is traditionally thought to have been interrupted from her reading by the arrival of Gabriel (Spencer 1998, p. 143). There is a lily in the centre of the badge, behind the book, and some simple decoration behind each figure, four pellets on the right side and five short irregular linears on the left, which probably represent Gabriel's wings. There is a border around 1mm wide around the scene. This badge may be a Walsingham souvenir, as the words of the Annunciation were associated with the representation of Our Lady of Walsingham on the great seal of Walsingham Priory (Spencer 1998, p. 141).